Top Draft Pick Dvorak Has Midnight Deadline To Sign

PANTHERS

August 15, 1995|By DAVE JOSEPH Staff Writer

The clock is ticking for forward Radek Dvorak.

Dvorak, the Panthers' No. 1 draft choice, must sign a contract by midnight tonight or he'll be ineligible to play this year in the NHL. According to Dvorak's agent, Rich Winter, negotiations with Panthers General Manager Bryan Murray have been amicable.

"But whether we can come to terms by midnight, I'm not sure," said Winter, from his office in Edmonton. "We're not too far apart."

Dvorak is training with the Czech elite team. Panthers Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher said last week that if Dvorak doesn't sign with the Panthers, he would like the left winger to play in the United States, possibly the International Hockey League, to get acclimated and learn English. Winter, however, said Dvorak may remain in the Czech Republic.

"Certainly, the sooner we get him over here the better," Winter said. "It will take time for him to adjust and learn English. And, with Bryan Murray's youth movement down there, I'm sure that would help Radek. But he's a pretty mature guy, and his parents are pretty level-headed, and they've told me they don't want to do anything for money only."